Main Line May 27, 2018

In Christianity God is not an impersonal thing nor a static thing— not even just one person— but a dynamic pulsating activity, a life, a kind of drama, almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance…. [The] pattern of this three-personal life is… the great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very center of reality.

—C.S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity

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GATHERING BEFORE GODMay 27, 2018Trinity SundayMain Line Campus

OPENING SENTENCES

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

—Psalm 124:8

COME THOU FOUNT

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,tune my heart to sing Thy grace.Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.Teach me some melodious sonnet,sung by flaming tongues above.Praise His mount! I'm fixed upon it,mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;hither by Thy help I'm come;and I hope, by Thy good pleasure,safely to arrive at home.Jesus sought me when a stranger,wandering from the fold of God;He, to rescue me from danger,interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor,daily I'm constrained to be!Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,bind my wandering heart to Thee.Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,prone to leave the God I love;Here's my heart, O take and seal it,seal it for Thy courts above.

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GREETING AND PREPARATION

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you!

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Let us worship the eternal God, the source of love and life, who creates us.

People: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one, who lives among us.

Leader: Let us worship the Spirit, the holy fire, who renews us.

People: To the one true God be praise in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

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THIS IS AMAZING GRACE

Who breaks the power of sin and darknessWhose love is mighty and so much strongerThe King of Glory, the King above all kings

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunderAnd leaves us breathless in awe and wonderThe King of Glory, the King above all kings

CHORUS:This is amazing graceThis is unfailing loveThat You would take my placeThat You would bear my crossYou lay down Your lifeThat I would be set freeOh, Jesus, I sing forAll that You've done for me

Who brings our chaos back into orderWho makes the orphan a son and daughterThe King of Glory, the King of Glory

Who rules the nations with truth and justiceShines like the sun in all of its brillianceThe King of Glory, the King above all kings

CHORUS

BRIDGE

Worthy is the Lamb who was slainWorthy is the King who conquered the graveWorthy is the Lamb who was slainWorthy is the King who conquered the graveWorthy is the Lamb who was slainWorthy is the King who conquered the graveWorthy is the Lamb who was slainWorthy, worthy, worthy

CHORUS

Music and Lyrics: Philip Wickham, Josh Farro and Jeremy Riddle

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THE PASSION

The passion of our SaviorThe mercy of our GodThe cross that leaves no questionOf the measure of His love

CHORUS:Our chains are goneOur debt is paidThe cross has overthrown the graveFor Jesus’ blood that sets us freeMeans death to deathAnd life for me

The Innocent judged guiltyWhile the guilty one walks freeDeath would be His portionAnd our portion liberty

BRIDGE:I give my whole lifeTo honor this loveBy the Lamb who was slainI’m forgivenThe sinner’s SaviorCrown Him foreverFor the Lamb who was slainHe is risen

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CALL TO CONFESSION

Leader: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

—Psalm 32:1-2

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

People: Triune God, we praise you as the God of love and life. Though Jesus prayed that we would be one, we confess that we fail to live in unity with each other and with you. We break our communion through hostile words and unkind actions. We long for your Spirit to heal us and to correct us. We long for you to help us experience communion with you and with each other as we gather around your Word and Table. Even now, dependent on your grace, we commit ourselves to live more fully in the unity you desire. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION & WORDS OF PARDON

Leader: Through Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

— from Acts 13:38; Ephesians 1:7

SONG OF RESPONSE -GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the FatherGlory be to the SonGlory be to the Spirit Three in OneAs it was in the beginningIt will be foreverAmen, Amen, Amen

PASSING THE PEACE & ANNOUNCEMENTS

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THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONSCRIPTURE READINGColossians 4:2-6, 18, NRSV

2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.5Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Minister: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God!

SERMON

Sermon Series: Christ the Center: Colossians & Life with the Risen JesusSermon Title: The Mystery of ChristSpeaker: Vito Baldini

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APOSTLES’ CREED

Minister: Let us say what we believe.

People: We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic1 church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

(1that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places).

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THE LORD’S TABLE

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts now! We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our saving God. It is right and good, always and everywhere.To give thanks, to the Lord.

Minister: Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God! You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty. You have given us life and being, and preserve us by your providence. But you have shown us the fullness of your love in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation. For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you we praise and bless you, O God. With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name, saying:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might. The whole earth is full of Your glory, hosanna in the highest! Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might. The whole earth is full of Your glory, hosanna in the highest!

Minister: Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again, we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.

Minister: Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith. Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray, that the bread which we break and the cup which we bless may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Grant that, being joined together in him, we may attain to the unity of the faith and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord. And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf, and these grapes from many hills into one cup, grant, O Lord, that your whole Church may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Praise to the Father,praise to the Son, praise to the Spirit, Our God the Three in One.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People: Therefore, let us keep the feast.

HOLY COMMUNION

Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God.

Gluten-free communion wafers are available at the welcome table in the front lobby of the church. Please pick one up prior to coming forward to take communion. Holy Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the Gospel, who are at peace with God and their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ.

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PRAYERS FOR REFLECTION

If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the church. If you are unable to receive Communion, we invite you to meditate on one of the following prayers:

PRAYER FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR TRUTH:Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. Amen.

PRAYER OF BELIEF:Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT: Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.

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INSTRUMENTAL REFLECTION

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Minister: Lord, in your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Minister: Let us pray as our Lord Jesus has taught us:

People: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.